Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Statutory Accident Benefits (SABs) when involved in a bicycle accident with a motor vehicle - Ottawa Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Statutory Accident Benefits (SABs) when involved in a bicycle accident with a motor vehicle - Ottawa Bicycle Accident Lawyers In most cases, drivers of motor vehicles simply do not see cyclists and inevitably accidents between motor vehicles and cyclists occur all too frequently. In other cases, drivers of motor vehicles simply drive without regard to the rights of cyclists and therefore expose them to harm. Given the physical exposure cyclists have, when involved in motor vehicle accidents the results can be traumatic and include serious injuries such as fractures, brain injuries, head injuries and spinal cord injuries. While the Highway Traffic Act affords cyclists some protection when it comes to fault, it affords no real protection in terms of compensation. Under the provisions of the Insurance Act however, cyclists who are injured as a result of a collision with a motor vehicle are entitled to certain stated benefits. Regardless of whether the accident is found to be the fault of the cyclist or the driver of the motor vehicle, the cyclist will be entitled to significant accident benefits including income loss, medical treatment and rehabilitation care which are all included as benefits under the statutory accident benefits. If you have been involved in a bicycle accident involving a motor vehicle, you are entitled to statutory accident benefits including: supplementary medical benefits and rehabilitation benefits, attended to care benefits, weekly income replacement benefits, funeral and death benefits, non-earner benefits and the care giver benefits. As bicycle accident lawyers, we can assist you in the process of obtaining statutory accident benefits and, if the driver the motor vehicle is at fault for the accident, claim compensation from the driver such as damages for pain and suffering and any expenses not covered by the statutory accident benefits schedule. If you or someone you care about has been involved in a bicycle accident involving a motor vehicle, contact one of our lawyers free of charge for a free consultation. Call us at 613-315-4878 or 613-563-1131. Our lawyers work on the basis of a contingency fee which means that you will not be charged a fee unless our lawyers obtain compensation for you. Our lawyers only paid if you receive compensation. Contact Quinn Thiele Mineault Grodzki LLP at 613-315-4878 or 613-563-1131. Ottawa bicycle accident lawyers.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Ottawa snowmobile accident lawyers - complex snowmobile and car accident cases require experienced injury lawyers

Ottawa snowmobile lawyers – Complexities of snowmobile accident claims

Snowmobiles are very fun winter recreational vehicles. Snowmobiles are heavy motorized vehicles and can cause serious personal injury. Under Ontario personal injury laws, the accident benefits available for snowmobile accident victims are very similar to those of any other type of motor vehicle accident. Given the heaviness of snowmobiles, openness of ride and the speeds they reach, snowmobile accidents can often result in very serious or catastrophic injury. In some cases, they cause permanent disability or death.

In Ontario, snowmobile accident victims and their family members can claim compensation for their losses from their own car insurance company (under what is called No-Fault Accident benefits) and from the person responsible for the collision in what is called a Tort Claim.

Your car insurer is obligated to pay no-fault accident benefits compensating you for such things as loss of income, expenses relating to others assisting an injured person with completing household maintenance and expenses related to self-care activities. The insurer, under no-fault law, must also pay for all necessary medical services and rehabilitation; if necessary to limits prescribed in the policy of insurance. Benefits are paid pursuant to an application by the injured person and there are time-lines by which applications must be provided to the insurer; there are consequences to not meeting time lines.

At Quinn Thiele Mineault Grodzki LLP, we have handled many cases where the insurance companies have denied benefits that they are legally and contractually obligated to pay their injured clients. You are entitled to dispute the insurer’s refusal to pay your benefits. Different levels of benefits are available to snowmobile injury victims, depending upon the type of injury and impairments. The process of obtaining accident benefits and claiming damages in a tort claim is complicated and requires careful and experienced analysis by an experienced personal injury lawyer who has experience dealing with snowmobile accident cases.

In a tort claim, you may claim compensation from the person responsible for the collision. The compensation paid under a tort claim is normally paid by the responsible person’s insurer (other driver for instance). In Ontario, injury victims who suffer serious and permanent injuries can recover damages compensating them for their losses, including their pain and suffering, their past and future lost income, their extraordinary future health care and home maintenance costs, their out of pocket expenses, interest and legal costs.

There are time limits which govern when an injured person must notify their own insurer of a claim, notify the responsible parties that they intend to bring a claim. There are also time limits by which an injured person must commence a court case seeking compensation, otherwise they may forever lose their right to bring court action and seek compensation. These time limits can restrict or eliminate an injured person's right to recover damages and compensation.

Whether a person has the right to commence a court action against another person in snowmobile cases is a complicated issue. Liability must be assessed by an accident lawyer. Our experienced personal injury and accident lawyers in Ottawa can properly assess all the issues in a snowmobile case such as liability, proper persons to seek compensation from, insurance coverage issues and the value of your snowmobile accident claim.

At Quinn Thiele Mineault Grodzki LLP, we understand the complexities of snowmobile accidents and the profound affects injuries sustained in snowmobile accidents may have on the injured person and their family. Our team of experienced and dedicated injury lawyers is dedicated to assisting persons injured in snowmobile accidents. They know how to deal effectively with the Ontario insurance and litigation systems in order to obtain maximum compensation. Our lawyers represent injury victims throughout southeastern Ontario.

We have represented clients injured in many types of vehicle accidents. Snowmobile riders can suffer serious and permanent injuries as a result of accidents which occur because of:

Negligent operation
Reckless driving
Defective machinery or failed safety equipment
Environmental hazards
Hidden obstructions
Thin ice
Low-hanging branches
Electrical wires
Poorly maintained trails
Drunk driving
Failure to yield right of way
Rear-end collisions
Side-swipe accidents
Failure to check blind spots
Misjudging speed
Dangerous trail or road crossing conditions
Etc...

Snowmobile riders who are physically exposed (there is no metal surroundings like a car for instance) are at a greater risk of sustaining significant injuries such as traumatic brain injury, head injury, back injury, fractures, internal injuries, chronic pain, spinal cord injury or paralysis. The injuries sustained can often require expensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.

At Quinn Thiele Mineault Grodzki LLP, we focus our law practice entirely on personal injury and accident law. We assess every case very carefully in order to identify all possible damages options so that our clients recover all types of damages necessary to adequately and fairly compensate them for their injuries.

Our lawyers will take every step necessary to avoid trial and negotiate with insurance companies on behalf of injured persons so that they obtain all benefits and compensation they deserve.

However, we prepare each case as if they are going to trial; that way, if the case does not settle (95% of all cases do settle however), we are prepared for trial. We have a vast network of medical and non-medical experts such as physicians, surgeons, neurologists, accident reconstruction specialists, occupational therapists, health care professionals, economists, accountants, actuarial experts and others, with whom we will consult to determine the full extent of your injuries and assess the full extent of your damages.

If you have sustained an injury as a result of a snowmobile accident, even if you were at fault or partly at fault, it is still worthwhile to consult with an experienced Ottawa personal injury lawyer. You are entitled to accident benefits under your own insurance policy to handle medical expenses, rehabilitation expenses and other economic losses.

Contact us for a free consultation at 613-315-4878 or 613-563-1131. One of our Ottawa snowmobile accident lawyers will be glad to answer any of your questions and discuss our contingency fee arrangement which provides that we do not charge any fees unless we win your case.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Ottawa Amputation Injury Lawyers - Ottawa Largest Boutique Injury Law Firm

Ottawa Amputation Lawyers - Some small firms cannot handle serious injury cases requiring administrative and financial support. We are Ottawa largest personal injury Boutique law firm. the partners are financially independent and have the financial resources to support serious injury cases.

At Quinn Thiele Mineault Grodzki LLP, we handle all types of injury cases resulting from all types of accidents. In serious injury cases, such as an amputation injury resulting from an accident, our Ottawa Ontario lawyers can address the particular legal issues arising out of amputations. The loss of any body part is devastating and words really cannot describe the serious profound life changing effects of suffering an amputation injury. You need a lawyer who focuses on amputation and serious injuries.

When assessing an amputation injury, there are many particular issues that arise such as the nature and extend of compensation. Amputations are generally considered catastrophic injuries which affects the type and amount of compensation available in both motor vehicle accident cases and non-motor vehicle accident cases. Don’t leave it to chance, we have, as a law firm, the necessary resources to support serious injury claims.

This Ottawa Injury and Accident Lawyer Blog is written regularly by the lawyers of the Ottawa personal injury law firm of Quinn Thiele Mineault Grodzki LLP, Ottawa's largest boutique personal injury and accident law firm. This blog reports on injured victims and accidents in eastern Ontario with a focus in Ottawa, discusses personal injury issues and reports on local Ottawa news and events affecting injured persons.
Contact us for a free consultation. We offer No Fee until You Win agreements. 613-563-1131. www.ottawapersonalinjurylawyernetwork.com.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Ottawa Hockey Injury Lawyers - Ottawa Sports Injury Lawyers

Ottawa Hockey Accident Lawyers

At Quinn Thiele Mineault Grodzki LLP, we have handled many personal injury cases in Ottawa and eastern Ontario involving children and adults injured in various sporting activities, including hockey.

It is not difficult to be injured participating in a sport or sporting activity. Injuries suffered while playing sports occur on a daily basis at schools, gyms, fields and training facilities. Sporting injuries involving hockey tend to be the most severe, due to the high number of head injuries causing concussions, catastrophic injury and spinal cord injuries. We have handled many sporting accidents causing a wide variety of injuries such as head injuries (such as severe concussion or hematoma), neck injuries, back injuries, paralysis and fractures.

Not all cases of sporting injuries result in the right to sue and seek compensation. If the athletic facility involved failed to provide safe, functional equipment, liability can follow. As with all personal injury claims, it is important to keep in mind that in order to succeed in obtaining compensation, there needs to be a wrongdoer, someone who was careless or negligent and caused the accident and injuries.

All circumstances must be taken into account when assessing liability.
Contact us at (613) 563-1131 or 613-315-4878 for a free consultation.
Ottawa Sports Injury Lawyers

Monday, February 13, 2012

In most personal injury and accident cases, an injured person needs an Ottawa accident and injury lawyer. This brief article explains why.

In most personal injury and accident cases, an injured person needs an Ottawa accident and injury lawyer. This brief article explains why.

Unfortunately, justice is not automatic. This is so even in cases where someone is clearly injured due to another person's carelessness or negligence.
As your Ottawa personal injury lawyers, there are a number of issues we address in order to protect the legal rights of our injured clients. We must carefully consider and properly address things like:

Determining notices and time periods to meet.
Taking steps to meet the notice and time lines.
Determining the legal deadlines to meet.
Taking steps to meet the legal deadlines.
Nature and extent of proper notices to provide.
Maneuvering through the insurance company mine-field.
Locating all possible insurance policies (both injured person’s policy and third party policies).
Assessing entitlements and benefits under various laws.
Assessing entitlements and rights under various possible insurance policies.
Assessing the positive and negative facts of each case.
Obtaining all relevant medical and other evidence.
Determining the applicable laws and legal principles in each case.
Determining the full extent of injuries.
Determining the value of each head of damages applicable.
Providing timely accurate legal advice.
Assessing damages and losses.
Retaining experts to assess losses.
Commencing court actions within the limitation periods.
Properly prosecuting a court action.
And much much more....

All of these issues can be quite complex and time consuming. Errors made at any stage can be extremely costly to our injured clients. As personal injury lawyers, we have extensive Knowledge of all applicable laws. We also have a clear understanding of the applicable court cases (judge made law); we understand how the courts system works and know how to properly read court decisions and how they have been interpreted. We know how to apply the proper personal injury laws and other laws to each case, including the common law and statutory laws.

Inexperienced lawyers make mistakes, such as failing to comply with a legal time deadline or legal notice requirement (many are found in insurance policies or under a statute) and missing or undervaluing certain heads of damages. In an instant, an injured person can lose their right to make a claim.

If the wrong information is provided to an insurance adjuster, this may have a significant harmful effect on the claim. Proceeding without the legal advice of an experienced personal injury lawyer can be very risky. The system is stacked against injured persons who are not represented by a personal injury lawyer.

Keep in mind that insurance companies are in business to make money. As a business, they will want understandably to reduce any payments or, if possible, not pay at all. Insurance companies have highly skilled and trained adjusters on staff and they hire very experienced and knowledgeable lawyers. They are very familiar with the insurance system and the legal system and they know how to take advantage of the systems.
Your Ottawa personal injury lawyer levels the playing field. Your Ottawa injury lawyer will take the steps needed to protect your interests and rights so that you can maximize the compensation you deserve.

As your Ottawa injury lawyers, we handle all of the steps for you. While you concentrate on recovery and returning to your day-to-day life, our Ottawa accident lawyers handle the complicated legal issues for you. We have experienced injury lawyers, paralegals and law clerks. Our team is ready to fight for you. Our personal injury team will protect your rights and work hard to get you the most money possible so that you are fairly and justifiably compensated for your injuries sustained due to another person's negligence or wrongdoing.

Quinn Thiele Mineault Grodzki LLP - Ottawa injury and accident lawyers - Free consultations at 613-315-4878 or 613-563-1131. NO Fee Until You Win.
Ottawa accident lawyers - Ottawa injury lawyers. We level the playing field between huge insurance companies and injured people.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Ottawa elevator and escalator lawyers - top Ottawa injury lawyers helping victims of accident in Eastern Ontario

Ottawa Elevators and Escalator Injury Lawyers

The lawyers of Quinn Thiele Mineault Grodzki LLP have extensive experience handling cases for individuals who have suffered personal injury as a result of elevators and escalators, whether it occurred on private or public property. The law regarding preventing accidents occurring as a result of elevators and escalators is complex. Choosing a qualified Ottawa elevator and escalator accident lawyer is vital to obtaining fair compensation. Choose the wrong lawyer and you can lose thousands of dollars in compensation.

Ottawa has hundreds if not thousands of elevators and escalators in public and private buildings. Each year escalator and elevator machines are required to be inspected for safety by the TSSA and experts in the industry. The Province of Ontario regulates the design, installation and maintenance of elevators and escalators.
Despite all the safeguards in place, some owners ignore their legal responsibilities and each year people are seriously injured in Ottawa and Ontario as a result of defective, inadequately inspected, or poorly maintained elevators and escalators. In some cases, the accidents result in wrongful deaths. In most cases, the accidents could have been avoided.

As large mechanical machines, elevators and escalators can cause serious and permanent injuries. Our law firm has extensive experience handling catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death cases, including many cases of injuries occurring on escalators and elevators throughout Ontario. We have handled cases such as escalator accidents caused by:

Improper installation
Missing parts
Sudden stoppages
Loose or missing parts
Inadequate maintenance
Inadequate supervision
Side entrapment involving footwear

In many cases, young children, who are attracted to the moving parts on the escalator, are injured because they fail to appreciate the dangers of escalators and elevators.

We have also handled cases of injuries caused by elevators such as:
Elevator falls
Elevator drops
Improper door movements
Defective safety strips on doors
Defective equipment
Uneven car landing, either above or below designated floor
Improper design
Improper maintenance
Negligent supervision

Escalator and elevator accidents are extremely complex cases to handle. It requires experience and knowledge of the operation of these types of machinery and its interplay with the many legal principles of negligence.

Because owners typically try to get the escalator or elevator fixed as soon as possible after an accident (and thereby getting rid of the evidence), it is important to promptly hire a qualified and experienced elevator and escalator accident lawyer so that we can immediately undertake a prompt factual investigation, identify and contact witnesses, preserve essential evidence, take photographs and deliver notices of claims.

Our lawyers have significant experience handling complex personal injury and wrongful death cases, including complex escalator and elevator accident cases. Our firm has the experience, the knowledge and the resources to best handle any elevator or escalator accident case resulting in personal injury or wrongful death.
Initial consultations with our law firm are always free, and our cases are handled on a no fee until we win your case basis (called contingent fee basis). Please call us at 613-315-4878 or 613-563-1131.

Choosing the right personal injury lawyer who has experience with these cases is vital to successfully obtaining compensation. Personal injury is our specialty, which is all we do, every day. We are considered one of the best personal injury Boutique law firms in Ontario.

Call us for a free consultation at 613-315-4878 or 613-563-1131. Ottawa Personal Injury Lawyers of Quinn Thiele Mineault Grodzki LLP (Marc N. Quinn). There is no fee until we recover money for you.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Ottawa Playground Accident Lawyers

Ottawa School and Playground Injury Lawyers

If your child has been injured in a playground, your child may be entitled to compensation. Negligence is not always apparent and as injury lawyers, we can determine if the accident was caused due to the negligence of another party.

The area of playground injury law has changed considerably in recent years. While the basis of the claim still lies in Occupier's Liability or Premises Liability, it often interplays with negligent supervision allegations and legal principles.
Parents, teachers and lawyers are now more aware than ever that playground accidents are often the result of poor playground construction or design or as a result of lack of supervision.

There are ways in which schools, school boards, municipalities and private schools can make playgrounds much safer for children. Many of these changes are inexpensive and still allow children the ability to use playground structures constructively and freely. We have handled cases of child injury on playgrounds where the allegations centered on poor and negligent design, lack of maintenance and/or lack of supervision.

In many cases, accidents are simply accidents and there is no one to be sued. As parents, teachers and supervisors, we cannot prevent every accident. In other cases however, a child is injured due to the negligence of another. When children are injured in playground accidents, it is often school negligence that is the root cause. We investigate the reason(s) why an accident occurs and if a party or parties are at fault, we pursue that party or parties on behalf of our clients. We have succeeded in all school and playground negligence cases we have handled to obtain compensation for our clients.

Ottawa serious injury and playground accident lawyers - Quinn Thiele Mineault Grodzki LLP - We have a special interest in personal injury, accident and disability cases. There is no fee unless we recover money for our clients. Our consultation is free and confidential.
Call us for a free consultation at 613-315-4878 or 613-563-1131.